Ranjan Ramanayake released from Colombo prison on 'Conditional Presidential Pardon'

COLOMBO (News 1st); Former Sri Lankan Parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayake was released from a Colombo prison on Friday (26) afternoon, after President Ranil Wickremesinghe granted a conditional Presidential Pardon earlier in the day.

A statement from the President's Media Division noted that the Pardon will be subject to the conditions that Ranjan Ramanayake no long make any statement that is in contempt of court, and does not act in such a manner.

Jailed for Contempt

On the 12th of January 2021, Ranjan Ramanayake was sentenced to jail for contempt of court.

Ramanayake was sentenced to four years Rigorous Imprisonment by the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka.

Ramanayake was accused of contempt of court for allegedly making a controversial statement regarding the composition of the Supreme Court judge bench hearing the petitions filed against the President’s dissolution of Parliament in 2018.

In January 2020, Ramanayake was arrested for committing a crime in terms of Article 111C (2) of the Constitution by interfering with the functions of judges. He was later granted bail, following the conclusion of the trial, he was sentenced.

On the 7th of April 2021, Sri Lankan Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene informed Parliament that the Parliamentary seat of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Ranjan Ramanayake has been declared vacant.

He said the Parliament Secretary General has informed the Elections Commission that MP Ranjan Ramanayake ceases to be an MP as per Parliamentary Act.